Benefits Specialist I (Inst)

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee • Milwaukee, WI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in supporting the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee community by delivering accurate , timely , and comprehensive benefits guidance to employees, human resources partners, and campus stakeholders. This position ensures employees understand benefit eligibility, options, and enrollment processes while maintaining compliance with university, state, and system policies. Serving as a trusted resource and subject matter expert, the Benefits Specialist contributes to an effective, employee-centered benefits program through collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement in benefits administration and service delivery.

Requirements

• At least two (2) years of professional experience in human resources, benefits administration, or a closely related functional area
• Demonstrated experience providing employee-facing consultation or customer support requiring interpretation and application of policies, procedures, or program rules
• Demonstrated ability to interpret benefit eligibility, enrollment rules, and/or plan provisions and clearly explain them to employees or other stakeholders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire
• Selected candidates will be required to complete an I-9 form to verify eligibility to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
• Hands-on experience administering one or more employee benefit programs (e.g., health, dental, vision, retirement, or leave programs)
• Experience using enterprise HR or benefits systems for benefits administration, audits, reporting, or data analysis (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, Benefitfocus or similar systems)
• Knowledge of employee benefits administration practices and compliance requirements, including exposure to statutory, contractual, or regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated experience handling confidential or sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment
• Experience working in a higher education, public sector, or other large, complex organizational environment

Responsibilities

• Receives, responds to, and resolves complex employee benefits questions, feedback and problems from employees, HR leadership, and campus partners through various mediums
• Advises current and prospective employees and human resources staff on benefit eligibility, options, and applicable timelines according to established policies and procedures
• Researches eligibility and enrollment rules, plan documents, contract statutes, and administrative codes to provide correct benefit resources and materials to human resources professionals and employees
• Develops and facilitates employee benefit trainings and associated resources and materials
• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing complex benefit information
• Receives, processes, and audits benefit enrollments and changes according to established policies and procedures
• Identifies opportunities for operational improvements and recommends changes to leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees